November 1 has always held a bit more meaning for me than the "all hallows eve" of Halloween.  All Saints Day - the deep understanding of connection to our relatives, and indeed to all those who've gone before us, really leans into something quite different from the ghouls and candy of October 31.  

I was not raised up in the culture of Dia De Los Muertos - where reverence for our relatives takes on depth and beauty, but being surrounded by it has enriched me.  I do have photos of dear relatives who've died around my home, reminders of the family that I still feel connected to. I look forward to what has been an annual All Saints Community Sing held at Lakewood Cemetery (alas the frigid weather cancelled that lovely outdoor event).  Yes, I cried during the movie Encanto.  And, I carry with me an understanding of the ongoing mystery of being connected to spirits of those long gone.

This year, it has struck me, even more, of how many of my business friends (those saints of the industry) have moved on due to closures of their business.  It's a loss that brings grief and sadness, and it's a rich reminder of the beauty of our "business-life" when it is up and running.  Their experiences, both successful and not, have been my touchpoints, my guides and my inspiration.  That I'm still operating and they're not, falls on me heavily at times.  I miss them.

Here's a few I'm especially thinking about these days.

Franklin Street Bakery's retail site (1994-2015) was a place I frequented when I worked in the Phillips Neighborhood.  Anna Marie's (-2005) on 42nd and Bryant where I tried to order an iced chai and confused the barista completely.  Good Life Cafe and Sweetski's (1998-2003) my direct predecessors at 3544 Grand, who left me equipment, recipes, file folders of "how to's" and a small storefront that knew how to create foot traffic.  Cafe Tiempo (2005) my neighborhood cafe when I moved into Kingfield that taught me that small is beautiful. Grand Bakery (2006) and its awesome copper oven that delighted me and so many others with some of the best bakery items in the city at the time.  I was so impressed and also felt daunted taking on a bakery just down the block from this iconic space.   Lula's Coffee and Jazz (2006) where I held a couple business plan meetings with friends to share my dream, in what was the coolest place I could imagine and got me really excited about having music in my cafe.  Their financial struggles were a stark reminder of what I was up against.  Anodyne Coffeehouse (2014) which I always thought of as a community hub for Kingfield and tried to emulate the best I could.  We definitely shared the "how do I make a tiny kitchen function?" creativity.  Trotter's Deli (2017) as a St. Paul destination, its farmer stories were the inspiration for my own hopes to meet and tell the stories of local farmers.  Black Bear Crossing (2020) the Como Pavilion coffee shop who graciously gave me their time when I showed up with "how do I start a coffee shop?" questions back in 2005-6.  Riverview Cafe (2021) was my meeting place with brothers in my 12-step program and as such became known to me as place of healing where I drank a lot of black tea and chai.  Birchwood Cafe (2022) was my partner in high roads dining.  I always thought of Tracy as a big sister, and her cookbook is still a go to in my home kitchen.  Birchwood's "classes" on the history of tipping sent us on the road to become a tipless establishment in 2017. Common Roots Cafe (2022) and Danny Schwartzman gave me the belief that I was not alone.   Our mission and practices (and suppliers) overlapped in so many ways and it was Danny who helped me find my voice, approach city hall, and make legislation part of the menu here at the cafe as well.  Danny, ever gracious and generous, was a true colleague and friend.  

(*apologies if some ending years are a wee bit off...)

As a collection, I have many fond memories of meals, coffee conversations, outings with my children and family, and inspiration for my jump into the coffee shop world in 2006.  I sought out many of these owners/operators for encouragement, advice, and support.  Their experiences and accomplishments (and yes, their challenges) were the base for my adventures, and in many ways my accomplishments are the result of their hard work before and alongside me. 

And of course, there is Gladice.  Our shop grandmother, a dear church member, a former teacher and gift shop business owner, and a frequent visitor for lunch and stories during the last years of her life (spanning her 90's).  She definitely played a role in pulling me through some rough start up years with her wit, wisdom and love.

I hope that my experience here at Butter will be a kind of legacy for others down the line, and I'm honored to be connected to several place that are following in my footsteps and leaning on my base of knowledge to get started.  It's such a delight to see the dreams of others come into being through places like Cafe Meow and Fawkes Alley. 

And I try to imagine a time ahead of me where Butter Bakery Cafe is still functioning as a community hub, training space, and site of great bakery items, coffee, breakfasts, and lunches, just without me.   My hope for a smooth transition into a next owner/operator is what fills my days now.   I am in the midst of preparations, both mentally/emotionally as well as financially to get the cafe onto some solid footing.  While I have no timeline beyond "ahead,"  I'm intent on making this a succession instead of just wringing my hands of the place and walking away.  And with the long-standing partnership with Beacon Interfaith Housing and Nicollet Square, the next person taking the helm here will be someone ready to commit to the mission and continue the social benefit goals of the business.

Yes, I'm starting to look down this long green path to an end of the path itself.  Ok, not really an end, just a new beginning of a new journey on a new path that I'd hope will keep me connected to all of you - a community I have come to love with my whole heart.